Full of surprises House at 1732 Delaware is filled with charmin

The house at 1732 Delaware reminds me a lot of a box of Cracker Jacks -- the outside of the home is attractive enough, with brick and vinyl, but it's not likely to be on the cover of Architectural Digest. What's great about the house is the inside, sort of like the surprise you find inside the Cracker Jacks box.

First, it's a roomy house with five bedrooms, three full baths and a half bath, and nice amenities like a formal dining room, main level utility room, and plenty of storage space. But the surprise is the charming screened-in porch off the kitchen, a garden style whirlpool tub in the master bedroom suite and a finished walk-out basement that includes a very nice family entertainment room and wet bar.

The home has a regal setting, atop the hill on a quiet cul-de-sac in Cape Girardeau. It has classic brick steps to its entrance. It has two Palladian-style windows that give it added elegance from the exterior and interior.

The entrance foyer has a hardwood floor that leads into the formal dining room.

The living room has beige plush carpeting and two tall windows on each side of the gas log fireplace that has a brown marble tile hearth and facing, and classic white mantle. The windows look out upon the screened-in back porch.

The kitchen has easy-to-clean white ceramic tile floors and also features an eat-in casual dining area. A door from the eat-in kitchen area leads to the screened-in porch and large triple windows allow cheerful sunlight into the room.

Warm, oak cabinetry with brass pulls and a moss green countertop finish out the kitchen, which also has a large pantry and a built-in desk/communications center with plenty of open shelving. The kitchen appliances are all in white and include a smooth-top range with above-range microwave, double porcelain sink, a dishwasher and side-by-side refrigerator with ice and drink dispenser.

Nearby, but with its own door, is a main level laundry room with sunny yellow plaid wallpaper and cabinetry and countertops that match those found in the kitchen. A deep sink for hand washables is also located there.

Also just off the kitchen is a study with pocket doors. A half bath is also located close to this busy family area. An entrance to the two car-garage is nearby, along with a roomy storage closet.

Also on the main floor is the master bedroom suite, which also has its own entrance to the rear screened-in porch. The centerpiece of the master bath is the garden-style whirlpool tub, with has a large Palladian style window above it for a beautiful background and plenty of natural light. Inset lighting offers versatile inside light. A large walk-in closet completes the suite.

Upstairs are three bedrooms. Each has nice windows with custom draperies, elegant wall color and plenty of closet space. Also upstairs is a bathroom .

The finished walk-out basement is a nice addition to this house. The large open area is perfect for family entertaining and features a very nice wet-bar with oak cabinetry and white ceramic tile countertops. The downstairs bath also features white ceramic tile flooring. Another room here is suited for a study area or bedroom.

traddle@semissourian.com